Onchan Commissioners to carry on with 'special collections'

Fees and charges will be debated at its next board meeting

Onchan Commissioners met last night and discussed a number of issues affecting the village.

It will be carrying on with its ‘special collections’ for items including fridges, TVs and computers.

However, a decision about how much to charge residents and what charges are included will be brought back to the board at its next meeting.

A set of proposed fees were provided – disposal of fridges would range from £80 to £120 depending on the size, a TV would cost £70 whilst a computer would be £60 to get rid of.

The fees include the local authority’s staffing cost and the disposal charge at the Eastern Civic Amenity Site or other outlet.

The board also agreed that the service would be for residents only and prices should be reviewed annually as part of the budget.

A new policy will be drafted based on this which will also include a breakdown of disposal costs and will be brought back to the board.

Also on the agenda was a discussion about where to put a war memorial plaque which was originally houses in one of the local authority’s sheltered accommodations.

Residents in Heywood Court were polled about whether they would like to see the 20ft piece reinstalled; six were neutral, two were in favour of it being brought back, three didn’t respond and 21 said they were against it.

It was initially installed at the accommodation due to its military links, but is now in storage due to its size.

The board agreed to not reinstall it and instead contact the Isle of Man Preservation of War Memorials Committee to collect it and place it somewhere else.

Another item which sparked debate was the budget increases at the Eastern Civic Amenity Site.

Vice Chair Robin Turton said he didn’t understand why the ECAS would carry on with collecting paper recycling when central government have stopped.

He also said paying for an Isle of Man Creamery recycling bin at the site will put an extra two pence on the rates.

Onchan Commissioners pay 17 percent towards the site, and next year will cost them £175,950.

The increase was blamed on a number of reasons including electricity costs, new skips, increased costs to the site operator and pest control.

Onchan Commissioners will next meet on Monday 16 December.